Apple has reportedly been working on foldable devices for several years, with speculation ranging from a foldable iPad to a hybrid iPad/MacBook. However, recent reports suggest that these ambitions may be facing significant delays.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the assembly schedule for Apple’s first foldable device has been pushed back significantly, from early 2026 to late 2027 or even 2028. Contrary to earlier speculation that the device might be a foldable iPad, it now appears that Apple is focused on developing a foldable MacBook, reportedly featuring an 18.8-inch display.
Foldable MacBook survey update – mass production delayed significantly
1. Final display size spec confirmed at 18.8 inches. Apple has canceled the 20.25-inch design.
2. Due to technical challenges with the display and mechanical, the assembly mass production schedule has been… https://t.co/mPviHVeK0x— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 22, 2024
The delay, Kuo notes, stems from “technical challenges” related to the display and mechanical components. Apple has already canceled plans for a larger 20.25-inch device, and early estimates suggest that the cost of the foldable panel could range between $600-650, with the hinge adding another $200-250. These high component costs are expected to drive the final price of the device into the $3,500 range, making it a premium product from the start.
Further complicating matters, Kuo’s latest supply chain checks indicate that Apple’s foldable MacBook or iPad hybrid is facing substantial delays in mass production, with no signs of a foldable iPad launching in 2025 as previously anticipated. This has led to some confusion, with Kuo suggesting that the foldable MacBook may also be referred to as a foldable iPad in some circles. Regardless, both devices appear to be the same project, and the final product is unlikely to hit the market before 2027 or 2028.
Industry insiders, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, have echoed these sentiments, stating that while Apple is indeed working on a large foldable device, its release is still years away. The foldable MacBook, if it does arrive, could function as both a notebook with a full-size on-screen keyboard and a large-screen desktop when paired with an external keyboard. However, given the current technical challenges, Apple’s foldable ambitions seem to be in the experimental phase.
In the broader market, top smartphone vendors have been quick to embrace foldable devices, with Samsung already on its sixth generation of foldable handsets and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold recently joining the fray. However, Apple’s entry into this space appears to be a long way off. With current estimates placing the mass production of Apple’s first foldable device at the end of 2027 or 2028, it seems that consumers eager for a foldable MacBook or iPad will have to wait a few more years before they can get their hands on one.
